Originally Posted By Witches of Morva ORWEN: So us Cauldron girls braved the heat and humidity and flew from Morva to the Magic Kingdom on Sunday, 7/22/12, and while visiting our character friends in Fantasyland, all 3 of us were shocked to suddenly hear a familiar song being played by some Fantasyland minstrels. ORDDU: The song we heard was 'That's What Makes the World Go 'Round'--from The Sword in the Stone. This is the same song that was always played during the former Sword in the Stone Ceremony, which we miss so much. ORWEN: So when we heard the baritone horn that was playing this song, we almost knocked down several guests as we all went running toward the front of the carrousel. ORGOCH: Speak fer yerself, sister! I didn't knock NOBODY down. Ya did that on yer own! ORDDDU: When we got to the famous sword stuck deep into atone and anvil, we expected to see Merlin. To our surprise, we only saw four musicians playing the familiar song as a little boy was allowed to pull the sword up from the anvil--just like this had been done in previous ceremonies. But we didn't understand why Merlin was absent. ORWEN: So we asked a cast member who was there, too, where Merlin was. She said he was still away and not part of this newly revived ceremony. We told her this didn't make sense. How could you have the Sword in the Stone ceremony brought back without Merlin??? ORDDU: She agreed that it didn't make sense so we pressed her, further, to find out if this might mean Merlin would return to the ceremony at some future point. She replied that she really didn't know for certain but, for now, it doesn't seem as though Merlin will be back. ORWEN: But I wouldn't be surprised if this was some sort of test to see if the former ceremony WITH Merlin might come back. After all, we had heard a rumor some months back that Merlin might make a return to the Magic Kingdom in some form. Just keep your broomsticks crossed for Merlin's return, ducklings! ORGOCH: An' be sure ta keep yer fingers crossed that my two looney sisters don't mow ya down like blades a grass if'n he does!!!
Originally Posted By standor Without Merlin, Disney saves a salary. If enough salaries are cut, Disney executives get a bonus.
Originally Posted By Witches of Morva ORDDU: We thought of that, too, duckling. But they're still having to pay the four musicians who play the song, "That's What Makes the World Go 'Round". Why not reduce the number of musicians to 3 and have Merlin come back to do his former presentation? They would still only have to pay 4 performers that way. ORWEN: It just seems so silly to do it the way they're doing it, now. We sort of got the impression that this might have just be test to see what guest reactions were. The Sword stuck in the stone in front of Prince Charmings carrousel really doesn't make any sense any more, either, without a ceremony taking place every so often. I mean they might as well get rid of the whole thing if they're not going to use it in some way--much as I would hate to see it go. ORGOCH: Don't give 'em no ideas, sister! I use that flat anvil fer skinnin' my frogs after I ketch 'em off a Tom Sawdust Island!!! ORWEN: Oh, so YOU'RE the one responsible for that slimey mess I've seen in the past on the stone and anvil? It just figures!!!
Originally Posted By FerretAfros That's exciting that they're bringing it back in some form. I'm really only familiar with the DL version of the ceremony, which only used Merlin, without a band. When they retired both ceremonies a few years ago, I figured they'd be gone for good, even though the infrastructure remained in the parks. While it's certainly not something to plan your day around, it's a fun diversion that can easily turn into a highlight of the day. Hopefully this version sticks around and gets Merlin back, and hopefully they'll get something back in DL too!
Originally Posted By Witches of Morva ORWEN: I heard a rumor that the Disneyland version--which was pretty much the same as the Magic Kingdom version--is supposed to come back to Disneyland at some point. But who knows for sure. We can hope and pray it comes back because poor Merlin's been outta work for too long. I'm pretty sure his unemployment benefits are about to run out if they haven't already!!!
Originally Posted By Disneymom443 My DD back in 97 pulled the sward from the stone at DLR and it was so fun and exciting that I have her proclamaion framed and signed by Merlin. I was sad to hear that it had been stoped at both WDW and DLR. I do hope that now they will bring back Merlin too.
Originally Posted By disney pete Thats just bad even if they piped the music in of a CD and just had Merlin there,but to have no Merlin thats just another FAIL.
Originally Posted By Friar Tuck and Roll Its funny how Merlin is heavily used in the Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom game, and yet not used for the Sword in the Stone ceremony anymore. I would think that his popularity would be on the rise with the popularity of the game. Many people I would think would like to meet Merlin in some form.
Originally Posted By FerretAfros Is Merlin in either parade? At DL, he occasionally made appearances in Parade of Dreams (2005-2009) when the Blue Fairy or Fairy Godmother called in sick. It was kind of funny seeing him out there dancing with Flora, Fauna, and Merriweather, but it was great to see him around at least. I can't think of anywhere in WDW where I recall seeing him, so maybe his only location was at the sword show.
